Ukraine authorities in dialogue with Hungary to settle national minorities issue

re are ongoing discussions between Ukrainian government and Hungary regarding matter of national mirities, with hope of reaching a resolution, reported Ukrinform.net. Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, me statement during a national telethon.

"We have also... started a dialogue with Hungarian side and see prospect of settling issues that concern Hungarian national mirity, issues that arise regarding educational process. With our new minister, we mand to resume dialogue with Hungarian side," said Stefanishyna.

Stefanishyna highlighted that European Commission's seven recommendations regarding ethnic mirities work in Ukraine's favor by preventing any manipulation of issue in NATO. This is because it is EU that evaluates Ukraine's policies and draws conclusions based on se recommendations.

Ukraine was granted status of a candidate for EU membership in June 2022. However, European Commission presented seven recommendations that must be fulfilled before any furr progress towards European integration can be me.

Oksen Lisovyi was appointed as Minister of Education and Science by Verkhovna Ra on March 21.

Hungary has been preventing meetings of Ukraine-NATO Commission at ministerial level since 2017, as it requires Ukraine to change its policy on rights of Hungarian mirities. Hungarian government has expressed concerns over Ukraine's education law, which mandates that children belonging to national mirities begin ir education in Ukrainian langu from secondary school.

EU's recommendation for Ukraine's candidacy

seven recommendations me by European Commission for Ukraine to vance its progress towards EU membership are:

1. Ensure independence, integrity, and efficiency of judiciary, including High Anti-Corruption Court;
2. Strengn rule of law and fight against corruption, including by improving asset recovery and whistleblower protection;
3. Ensure accountability of law enforcement ncies and reform security sector;
4. Improve business environment, including by enhancing protection of property rights and reducing regulatory burden;
5. Enhance capacity and independence of regulatory authorities, in particular in energy and telecommunications sectors;
6. Reform public ministration, including by ensuring professionalism, accountability, and efficiency of civil servants;
7. Protect and promote rights of persons belonging to national mirities, including by fully implementing law on education in consultation with national mirities and respecting ir rights to use ir mor tongue and have access to education in ir mor tongue.

se recommendations are part of EU's conditionality process, which requires candidate countries to meet certain political and ecomic criteria in order to join European Union.